'They said there could be a chance, stay ready' - R. Ashwin reveals his ODI comeback journey

Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a comeback to the Indian ODI setup after 21 years after getting selected for the three-match ODI series vs Australia. The 37-year-old, who last played an ODI vs South Africa on January 21, 2022, has been recalled to the squad as a backup for Axar Patel who’s recovering from a left quadriceps strain.

Ahead of the first ODI vs Australia at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Ashwin spilled the beans on his comeback journey. The Chennai-born cricketer revealed that the management had kept him in the loop after the West Indies tour and asked him to stay ready in case an opportunity comes.

“I came back from the West Indies, took a break, played in a few club games. The team management kept me in the loop, whenever they said there could be chance. Stay ready, just in case. I was touching base with my fitness, started bowling a few sessions,” Ashwin said in a video posted by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) ahead of the first ODI in Mohali.

Further speaking about the golden opportunity, Ashwin said that he wants to enjoy it without putting him under pressure.

"It is a great opportunity for me. Like I have always said in the last 3-4 years, it's not about what I want to achieve in these opportunities. I want to give myself the best chance to enjoy,” he added.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 🙌

An excited @ashwinravi99 speaks about trying to push barriers, taking pride in performance & enjoying the game 👌👌 - By @28anand

Full Interview 🎥🔽 #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2023

Ashwin has picked 17 wickets in ODI World Cup

Notably, Ashwin has picked 151 wickets from 113 matches at an average of 33.49 and an economy of 4.94. The off-spinner could well be drafted into the ODI World Cup 2023 squad if Axar Patel fails to recover in time. The last date to make changes to the squads for the marquee tournament is September 28 for all teams. Hence, Ashwin has a great chance to play his third ODI World cup.

He has featured in the 2011 and 2015 editions of the cricketing extravaganza and has picked 17 wickets from ten matches at an average of 24.88 and an economy of 4.36.